Remington Model 878

Remington Model 58
Type	Shotgun
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	L. Ray Critendon, Ellis Hailston, and Harold L. Hameister
Designed	1959
Manufacturer	Remington Arms
Produced	1959–1963
No. built	~63,500
Specifications
Cartridge	12 gauge
Action	semi-automatic Gas Operated
Feed system	2+1 round Tubular magazine
Sights	Bead front, plain or Vent Rib barrel

The Remington Model 878, also sold in the 878A Automaster version, is a semi-automatic shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms in the mid 20th century. It is a gas operated shotgun and was marketed alongside the related Model 58 and the recoil operated Model 11-48semiautomatic shotguns.

Design

The Model 58 suffered from many design shortcomings compared to the contemporary Model 11-48 with which it shared many design features and parts. The 878 introduced an improved "self-adjusting" gas system compared to the Model 58 though it still operated similarly. Another change was in the carrier and bolt system which were now quite similar to the Model 870, thus the similar name.

While improved, Remington chose to retire the Model 58 and 878 quickly in favor of a new, more elegant design. The resulting Model 1100 immediately replaced the Model 58 and 878 and proved so successful that it soon also replaced the Model 11-48 and remains in production as of 2014, over 50 years after its introduction. Model 58 barrels are interchangeable with the 878.

In recent years the collectability of the 878, and in particular the 8789A has been on the rise. Due to low production numbers as well as the continued success of the 870 design on which is based, the 878 remains a solid field performer.